Ventspils University of Applied Sciences

Coordinates: 57°23′05″N 21°32′46″E / 57.3846891°N 21.5460041°E / 57.3846891; 21.5460041
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Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
Ventspils Augstskola
TypePublic
Established1997
RectorAndris Vaivads
Academic staff
67
Students902 (2013)
Undergraduates728
Postgraduates140
34
Location,
Websiteen.venta.lv
Main building

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (former Ventspils University College, Latvian: Ventspils Augstskola) is a higher education establishment in Ventspils, Latvia.

History[edit]

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) was founded in 1997 as a self-governing state university and a scientific institution. Its basic activity is to carry out scientific research and to implement academic and professional study programmes.[1] On May 20, 2013, VUAS acquired scientific institution status, which shows that it has met all state-adopted criteria for a scientific body.

Structure[edit]

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has an elected rector, currently Andris Vaivads. The university has three faculties, a library and a few scientific institutions.

Faculty of Information Technologies[edit]

  • Dean: Vairis Caune

This is the newest faculty founded in 2006. There are available programmes that provide bachelor's and master's degrees in Computer Science and Electronics:

Studies available in English:

Faculty of Economics and Management[edit]

  • Dean: Liene Resele

Current study programmes allow to get a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree in Business Administration, therefore providing professional workforce for a large number of local companies.

Studies available in English:

Faculty of Translation Studies[edit]

  • Dean: Sandija Skudra

This faculty currently is the most popular by the number of enrolled students. One of the main objectives is to prepare the intercultural communication specialists with foreign language skills for the work in EU institutions and other international organizations.[2]

Studies available in English:

Centre for Applied Linguistics[edit]

The Centre for Applied Linguistics of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is an internationally recognized scientific institution that specializes in language and translation as well as technology applications.[3]

Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development[edit]

Centre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Regional Development is financially inspired by the Ventspils City municipality and aims to enhance the intellectual potential of Ventspils City, Kurzeme Region and Latvia. It focus on performing scientific work in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development.[4]

Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre – VIRAC[edit]

The radio telescope at Irbene.

This centre oversees the world's eighth-largest radio telescope that was used by the Soviet military to spy on Western countries during the Cold War.[5]

The Technology transfer centre of Kurzeme[edit]

This centre analyzes the ability of Engineering research centre of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and Ventspils International Radioastronomy Center to offer businessmen research services in accordance with businessmen needs and promotes the cooperation between Latvian and European scientists and businessmen.[6]

International Cooperation[edit]

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has Erasmus Bilateral Agreements with more than 60 universities.[7] Some of these include:

Notable people[edit]

Professors[edit]

  • Jānis Vucāns (b. 1956), former rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, politician

Alumni[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "VUC". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. ^ Ventspils Augstskola Academic Bachelor's Study Program "Languages And Intercultural Communication"
  3. ^ "Centre for Applied Linguistics". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "Irbene Radio Astronomy Center". Latvian Tourism Development Agency. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Technology transfer centre of Kurzeme". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "ViA Partner Universities". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.

External links[edit]

57°23′05″N 21°32′46″E / 57.3846891°N 21.5460041°E / 57.3846891; 21.5460041